1.
Was the advice of the Executive Council of the Territory of New Guinea obtained before the Cabinet selected Salamaua as the site for the capital of the Territory?

2.
Was the advice of the Executive Council of the Territory obtained before the Cabinet directed that the Salamaua- Wau-road should be constructed ?

3.
On the advice of what officials did the Minister base his selection of Salamaua as the capital? 4.Did the Deputy Administrator of the Territory in August last, in the Legislative Council express the view that Salamaua was a most unsuitable site?

5.
What view has been expressed by the Director of Public Health of the Territory as to the suitability of Salamaua as the capital, and, in particular, as to the prevalence of malaria at the selected site?

6.
Will he lay on the Table of the House the report of the Director of Public Health with reference to Salamaua as a site for the capital ?

Mr Hughes (NORTH SYDNEY, NEW SOUTH WALES) (Minister for External Affairs)
- The answer to the honorable member's questions is as follows : -

The matter of the selection of a site for the head-quarters of the New Guinea Administration is now being reviewed by the Government and replies to the inquiries by the honorable member will be furnished as soon as practicable.

Mr.Watkins asked the. Prime Minister, upon notice -

1.
Has the British Government communicated with the Prime Minister regarding the Mandated Territory of New Guinea? If so, what was the nature of the communication?

2.
Has the Commonwealth Government tendered any advice to the British Government with reference to that Territory? Ifso, what was the nature of such advice?

Mr Lyons
s. - The answers to the honorable member's questions are as follows : -

1.
Assuming that the honorable member has is mind the question of the " return of colonics ", the answer is that no communication has been received from the British Government.

2.
No advice on the question has been tendered to the British Government, although its attention has been drawn to the statement of Sir George Pearce in the Senate on the 13th March, 1936, when the attitude of the Commonwealth Government was indicated.